Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • question about piecing larger blocks together >
  • question about piecing larger blocks together

  • question about piecing larger blocks together

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 12-30-2013, 12:02 PM
      #1  
    Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Dec 2013
    Location: Florida
    Posts: 7
    Default question about piecing larger blocks together

    I'm making my first big (queen sized) quilt. I'm trying to be very precise and consistent with my seams. When it comes time to sew my big (16 in) blocks together, is there a better way than just sewing in rows, then sewing rows together?
    silvergrrl7 is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 12:10 PM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Chula Vista CA
    Posts: 7,393
    Default

    I was taught to sew the blocks together into rows and then add the rows together is sections. ie: if you have 12 rows, then sew 3 rows together, then add 2 sections of 3 together - now you have 2 sections of 6 and they go together last.

    Hope that makes sense.
    quiltingcandy is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 12:29 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Central NJ
    Posts: 5,571
    Default

    Regardless of block/quilt size, I sew my blocks into rows and then just sew the rows together one by one. I don't particularly worry about making sections of rows. It might be easier to do it that way if you're dealing with alot of bulk/weight but ultimately you're going to have to sew the sections into one big quilt top anyhow. Just my thoughts.
    NJ Quilter is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 01:43 PM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    DogHouseMom's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jan 2011
    Location: Knot Merrill, Southern Indiana
    Posts: 5,781
    Default

    Some will sew in quadrants ... for example a quilt of 8 blocks x 8 blocks they will sew 4 sets of 4 blocks together then join them.

    Some quilts almost define themselves as to the easiest way to join the blocks (bargello as a prime example, mixed size block sampler as another), but most can be done any way as long as you are consistent.

    After you join sets (whether it be an entire row, or quadrants), measure during each step. So two rows of 16" (finished size) blocks joined together should measure 32.5". 3 rows will measure 48.5 - etc.
    DogHouseMom is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 01:49 PM
      #5  
    DJ
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2008
    Location: Pacific NW
    Posts: 4,394
    Default

    I've sewn a king size (+) quilt together with 18" blocks, just row-by-row. It turned out great. I think any other sectioning would work well, too.
    DJ is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 01:53 PM
      #6  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 41,521
    Default

    I sew the blocks together to make the shortest rows (which is usually the width of the quilt). I then sew the rows together into the quilt top.
    Tartan is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 02:13 PM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
    Posts: 7,014
    Default

    I sew vertical rows together. Keep them in chains and then sew the horizontal rows together. Because I don't clip the threads on the vertical chains, it seems to help me match things up better on the horizontal.
    Lisa_wanna_b_quilter is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 02:27 PM
      #8  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Jun 2011
    Location: Southern California
    Posts: 19,127
    Default

    Originally Posted by NJ Quilter
    Regardless of block/quilt size, I sew my blocks into rows and then just sew the rows together one by one. I don't particularly worry about making sections of rows. It might be easier to do it that way if you're dealing with alot of bulk/weight but ultimately you're going to have to sew the sections into one big quilt top anyhow. Just my thoughts.
    I do the same thing. Sew the blocks into rows, then attach the rows together. I use small leftover fabrics to make labels with numbers for each block so that nothing gets misplaced !!
    Attached Thumbnails numbers.jpg  
    ManiacQuilter2 is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 02:52 PM
      #9  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Nov 2009
    Location: Mableton, GA
    Posts: 11,277
    Default

    Originally Posted by Lisa_wanna_b_quilter
    I sew vertical rows together. Keep them in chains and then sew the horizontal rows together. Because I don't clip the threads on the vertical chains, it seems to help me match things up better on the horizontal.
    This is how I do it - Eleanor Burns does it this way too, at least the shows that I've watched.
    Stitchnripper is offline  
    Old 12-30-2013, 03:22 PM
      #10  
    Senior Member
     
    Join Date: Jun 2012
    Location: Chapel Hill NC
    Posts: 322
    Default

    I use the quadrant method...four blocks together to make a big block. Then i join all the big blocks. I seem to be able to match things up better this way. When i sew in rows it seems something is always off. Jo in NC
    Jo C is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    meyert
    Main
    11
    04-29-2013 05:24 AM
    QuilterGary
    Main
    75
    06-04-2011 10:23 PM
    Naturalmama
    Main
    14
    09-29-2010 07:56 PM
    JUNEC
    Main
    8
    03-01-2010 03:15 PM
    BlueChicken
    Main
    17
    05-23-2009 07:45 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter